How to Make a Cheap Cascade 80 Fish Filter for Your Fishy Friends

I got tired of paying a whole-lotta-cash for my Cascade 80 fish filters that I was having to replace every couple of weeks. So I decided to make my own, using furnace vent covers, activated charcoal and and an old filter. I would imagine that this would work for any filter that is a charcoal/batting material. It's been a couple of months and my fish isn't dead yet, but don't hate me if yours dies.

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Alright, so you'll need 3 things:

- Activated Charcoal
- Old Cascade 80 fish filter - I would imagine that this would work with any other type of cartridge filter
- Vent filters - these are used to cover your furnace vents it your house. I would image that a sewing store would have some similar type of material

The second step is to remove the old filter and charcoal from the filter cartridge. I used a screw driver and peeled it all back; you could use any method you want. Just get it off and pour it out.

Alright so you have the old filter material off, now it's time to pour some new charcoal into the old cartridge. I put about two tablespoons in, as that's about how much is in the old filter. It's important to have this stuff as it is what balances the water.

Now it's time for you to cut some of the vent filter, I found that it works best if you use 3/4ths of the vent filter folder over on its self twice. You can use the other 1/4th after a couple of replacements.

Now it's time to slide it carefully back into the filter holder/pump assembly.
Then throw it back on you tank, prime, and plug it in!

Great, now your fish can enjoy a clean tank and you can enjoy some extra cash in your pocket.